A facile and scalable approach was developed using ultrafine bubble (UFB)-assisted heteroagglomeration to fabricate high-concentration, impurity-free nanoceramic/metal composite powders for additive manufacturin. Individual ZrO2 or Al2O3 nanoparticles up to ~10 wt% were homogeneously decorated on the surface of Ti-6Al-4V powders through the bridging effect of the negatively charged UFBs. The nanoceramics were completely decomposed and dissolved into the matrix upon laser irradiation; therefore, a unique Ti nanocomposite exhibiting both high strength and ductility was obtained.
- Mingqi Dong
- Weiwei Zhou
- Naoyuki Nomura
